Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Crouse -
Thank you for your bravery and courage. You are an inspiration.

Lesha Gardner, Detective's daughter
Criminal Justice Grad Student, Appleton, WI

December 19, 2011

To the family and friends of Officer Deriek Crouse, his fellow officers, and most especially to Officer Crouse:

We honor your service to your community as a police officer and to your country as a veteran and you will always be remembered and revered. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Deriek was killed in the line of duty. It is obvious he was well-loved by many and well-respected by his peers as reflected in the loving reflections left for him.

May his loved ones continued to be supported by their law enforcement family and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you. To Deriek's family, you are in my heart's embrace today.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of distinquished service Deriek gave to his community and the citizens of Virginia, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on December 8, 2011.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 19, 2011

Your Family is in our prayers. Thank you for your service.

Retired Sgt.James C. Powell
Norfolk Police Dept.

December 19, 2011

May you rest in peace Officer Crouse. Thank you for your service and commitment to Virginia Tech and to our country. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends and with the VT community, I am so sorry for their loss. You will not be forgotten. God bless.

Lisa Rookard
Hokie Parent

December 17, 2011

Deriek you will be missed. RIP and may God bless and keep your family.

Off. Candice Johnson
New River Valley Regional Jail

December 16, 2011

Not only has VTPD lost a great officer, but Hokie Nation has lost a friend. We as a Virginia Tech community will forever be indebted to you for your service and sacrifice. May God bless you and your family. I cannot say "thank you" enough.

Anjelica Smith
Virginia Tech student

December 15, 2011

Deriek,
Thank you for your service to the community! Your service is unmatched and will never be forgotten by anyone. You truely lived by the motto.. UT Prosim.. that I may serve. You will be missed and loved by many! My thoughts, prayers, and heart go out to your family and the VTPD and they have lost a son, brother, husband, father, and friend! Please continue to patrol the streets up in heaven and continue to watch over us all! None of us will truely know what your family is going through. We all lover you and will NEVER forget you!!

Heros live FOREVER.. "Greater hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a friend" -John 15:13 "Heros live forever, but legends never die"

Rest In Peace Officer Crouse

Taylor Hauschildt
Daughter of a Blacksburg, VA, Lieutenant

December 15, 2011

Deriek was never without a smile.
He was a true Hero!....A dedicated Officer, loving husband, father and great friend. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
His service was poignantly touching and beautify. I am so thankful I was able to attend.
Deriek will always be watching over you and your children. I wish I could take some of your pain and sorrow away. May God be with you all!

Mary Cassity RN
Friend of Officer Crouse

December 15, 2011

Deriek, I just wanted to say thank you for everything you did while serving your country and the VT community. You will truly be remembered as a hero.

Kenny Jarels
Virginia Tech

December 14, 2011

Mr. Crouse helped me get the keys out of my locked car very early one morning. I had helped my sisters move into their dorm the day before and didn't realize I locked my keys in my car. Although he was busy with incoming student traffic he helped me for 2 hours until he finally got it unlocked. I'm very thankful for officer Crouse, he was a tremendous help just like I know he was to the rest of his team and his family. RIP officer Crouse, you are greatly appreciated.

Brooke Sayre

December 14, 2011

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Crouse family and to Officer Crouse's friends and fellow officers. We can't begin to express how grateful we are for his dedication to keep the VT community safe and we are truly so sorry that he had to sacrifice his life while doing so.

A Hokie Family
with a daughter at VT

December 14, 2011

Your family's nightmare is my greatest fear, spoken aloud no one.

My heart aches at your loss, as I am the wife of a university officer as well.

May some good come out of this tragedy. RIP, Officer.

Jess H.
MU, Milwaukee WI

December 14, 2011

Thank you for your service to our country, VT and for watching over our children. Our deepest condolences to your family.

Dan & Mary Kuntz
Hokie parents - Greensboro, NC

December 13, 2011

I am SGT Michael Armbrister's mother. It takes alot for Michael to let men into his life but all of you and you especially became a hugely important part of his life. He didn't have much male influence growing up and I know he would have done anything within his power for you and any guys in that unit. He spoke of you often and I am sure will never forget all you taught him. He believes those that are chosen to go before us, look after us and I am sure with you and his grandmother who loved him more than life, will look after those left behind. That unit is one for all and all for one...My heart and prayers are with your family and Michael will always remember you. I will surely miss hearing about you and the others that all became brothers through the unit and always

SGT Michael Armbrist
SGT Armbrister's Mom

December 13, 2011

Thank you for your service not only too our country but too the community in Blacksburg. It is great to see how the Hokie Family came together in such a devastating time. May God be with you and your family through this troubled time. Thanks again for your service. RIP!!

Senior Officer E.Mitchell
WPPD Virginia

December 13, 2011

Thank you for your service. It has felt like a sprint these last few days. To only be thinking about finals and be stopped in your tracks by something that was so unfair it put the breaks on an entire community and called it to action. No amount of service will ever repay the debt that is owed for a good person's life. However, waking up every day humble, thankful, and remembering is a good start. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Ben
VT 13

December 13, 2011

No family should endure this type of pain. I'm happy to donation. God Bless your family!!!

John H.

December 13, 2011

My Father’s Badge

In boyhood days I used to feel,
That gold and silver shield,
And heavy it felt in my little hand,
That was my Father’s badge.

The teenage years were wild times,
Running forward though half blind,
Always he was there to guide my path,
That was my Father’s badge.

As a man, I stood at his side,
He would teach and sometimes chide,
Duty, Honor and more he had,
That was my Father’s badge.

Along his graveside I did kneel,
Through the air, solemn Taps did peal,
“And I’ll cherish your symbol of service , Dad”
That was my Father’s badge.

Perhaps someday if I have a son,
And if he’s asked what his father had done,
He’ll say with prideful eyes so glad,
That was my Father’s badge.

Brian K. Eddy
May 15, 1994
Dedicated to the memory of all those who have made the
Ultimate Sacrifice in service to their communities.
They do for us what We can not, May their Badges never fade.

MPO Perry Knicely
Fairfax County Police Dept. Retired

December 13, 2011

I want to express my deepest condolences, and prayers, for the family, friends and fellow officers of Officer Deriek Crouse. Officer Crouse was once a protector of our country through his military service, and most recently a protector of my son as he attends Virginia Tech. For this I am truly grateful and it is with great pleasure I have donated to his memorial fund through the ‘Hokies for Crouse’ website.



Thank you and may God bless him and all his fellow officers.

Vince Cerniglia (parent of VT sophomore)

December 13, 2011

My prayers are with you and your family. The VT Campus has lost a great one.

Vicky Ratcliffe
Virginia Tech

December 13, 2011

Thank you for your service, your family will be in my prayers as they face the difficult times ahead.

You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Cindy Olinger Moses
Christiansburg Police Department

December 13, 2011

Many prayers and thoughts for you and your family. Thanks for your service to our country, our Commonwealth, and the Hokie Nation.

Jeff Jordan
VT Alum '00

December 13, 2011

RIP SIR.......

K. BROOKS
HOUSTON PD

December 13, 2011

It was an honor to have attended your service. My prayers are with you and your family. You can be proud of Va Tech in how they handled your service. It was one of the classiest I have ever attended.

Senior Officer Fred J. Huffman
Chesterfield County Police Dept.

December 13, 2011

My thoughts are with you, your family and police family.

Brother of Jeremy Chambers
EOW 04-24-2006

Chris Chambers
Saint Louis Co Police Dept

December 13, 2011